Collapsible and expansible minnow trapping net

ABSTRACT

A plurality of resilient ribs are each connected at one end to each corner of a net and the other end is pivotally connected to a central supporting plate. The plate is provided with downwardly opening channels receiving a portion of the ribs when the plate is in an overcenter position for holding the net in expanded set condition and the ribs under tension. A cable is connected to the plate for forcing the same through dead center to release the tension in the ribs and to collapse the net.

United States Patent Pfahler 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] .COLLAPSIBLE AND EXPANSIBLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS MINNOW TRAPPING NET 3,827 9/1892. Sweden 43/105 [72} Inventor: Lloyd L. Pfahler, I784 Glenn Ave.,

Columbus, Ohio 432 2 Primary Examiner-Warner H. Camp Attorney-Mahoney, Miller & Rambo [22] Filed: Nov. 18, I969 211 Appl. No.: 877,711 1 I ABSTRACT I A plurality of resilient ribs are each connected at one end to [52] CL 43/105 each corner of a net and the other end is pivotally connected [5]] Int CL 69/10 v to a central supporting plate. The plate is provided with [58] Field of I05 12 downwardly opening channels receiving a portion of the ribs I when the plate is in an overcenter position for holding the not in expanded set condition and the ribs under tension. A cable [56] Reierences cued is connected to the plate for forcing the same through dead UNITED STATES PATENTS center to release the tension in the ribs and to collapse the net.

2,652,656 9/1953 Glasser ..43/l05 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,034

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l6 a /N VIQNIUR LLOYD L. PFAHLER HY MAHOfi/EY, MILLER 8 RAMBO B ATOREYS Patented Feb. 29, 1972 L 3,645,034

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V lrvvmmm LLOYD L. PFAHLER IiY MAHONEY, MILLER a BA B0 BY ATTORNE YS 1 COLLAPSIBLE AND EXPANSIBLE MINNOW TRAPPING NET Various collapsible minnow nets have been provided in the past. They have usually consisted of a net expansible by means of a resilient stays or ribs similar to those used on umbrellas. However, these devices all require the use of latches to keep the ribs in net-expanding condition, during use of the net, and which must be released to collapse the net at the trapping instant. My prevent invention provides a much more simple and less expensive arrangement and yet one which is very effective in that it eliminates any latching mechanism. I

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention and in these drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of the net showing it in expanded operative condition.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the net.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view indicating how a sharp upward pull on the suspension cord collapses the net.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the net in collapsed condition.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken from the position indicated at line 55 of FIG. 1 and showing the central pivot bracket.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

With detailed reference to the drawings, it will be apparent that the collapsible net of this invention comprises mainly the net proper 10, the central pivot bracket 11, and a plurality of outwardly extending angularly spaced resilient ribs 12 pivoted at their inner ends to the bracket and connected at their outer ribs to the periphery of the net proper. In the example shown, the net proper I0 is of a predetermined area and is square, and four ribs are provided which are connected at their outer ends to the respective corners of the net proper. If desired, a box for bait or chum 13 may be provided on the upper side of the net proper at the center thereof so that minnows will be attracted to the central area of the net.

The net proper will be formed from a square section or area of suitable netting such as one woven from suitable cord such as nylon or cotton cord. Around this section of netting there will be a tape or border binding 14 which will be of relatively inelastic material. The outer end of each of the ribs is connected to the respective comer junction of the tape 14 by a suitable connection which is shown in the drawings as comprising a flexible loop 15 sewn to the tape and a metal ring 16 which passes through a transverse opening in the outer end of the rib.

The ribs 12 are made of resilient rods preferably of spring aluminum or spring steel. Each is pivoted at its inner end at a pivot point 17 to the bracket 11. It will be noted that this bracket has a flat body portion of cross-form with a rib pivoted at each am of the cross at a point spaced inwardly from the outer end of the arm. Furthermore, each arm is provided with a downwardly opening guide channel 18 with the pivot 17 being at the inner end of the channel and the outer end of the channel being open. The bracket may be formed or produced in one piece of suitable material such as metal or a plastic and may be of a round or square configuration with integrally formed channels or equivalent thereof. At the center of the bracket is attached an upstanding eyebolt 19 to which is connected the suspension or pulling cord 20.

The length of the ribs 12 relative to the length of the tape 14 on each side of the net is such that when the ribs are moved between an expanded net configuration, as indicated in FIG. 1, and a collapsed net configuration, as indicated in FIG. 4, the ribs must flex to pass through a common plane generally defined by the bracket 11. To accomplish this, the distance between the connections 16 at opposite ends of the ribs of each pair of ribs 12 extending in a diagonal direction, when the ribs are unflexed and lying in the common plane, is greater than the diagonal dimension of the net from comer to comer of the peripheral border. However, the net need not be square and could be of any polygonal form with the periphery fonned by the tape extending between the angles where the sides connect. In any case, the ribs would be connected to the periphery of the net at those angles and each rib would be of such a length that the distance from the center of the pivot bracket to downwardly on the center bracket 11 while restraining the ends of the rods until the ribs 12 move through the common plane to a beyond center position, as indicated in FIG. 1. As the ribs 12 move through the common plane and beyond, the ribs flex to pass through this plane. Also, during this movement, the inner portions of the ribs move into the guide channels 18 which will assist the pivot pins to keep the ribs angularly spaced and the outer end of the channels, in engaging the ribs, form fulcrum points to restrict or limit flexing of the ribs in forming an expanded net. There will be tension on the ribs 12 when they move into this beyond-center position which will tend to keep them in this position.

With the net in the expanded configuration shown in FIG. I, it can be suspended in the water or in the air by the cord or line 20 and will not collapse due to the tension in the rods 12 which must be overcome to collapse it. However, a sharp tug on the line will cause the rods to flex and pass through the common plane position with the bracket 11 being displaced upwardly from the net, as indicated in FIG. 3, since the weight of the net and resistance of the water to movement of the net therethrough will apply an inertia-type restraining force to the ends of the rods, and the net will fold or collapse to the condition shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the bracket 11 will be uppermost with the rods 12 hanging therefrom and with the net itself hanging from the lower ends of the rods in trapping condition. The bait box 13 will also serve as a weight to aid in causing the net to assume a dependent position.

Thus, the net can be expanded readily by a movement of the center pivot bracket beyond a common plane through which the ribs are moved. No latching means is necessary to hold it in this expanded position. Release is accomplished merely by a sharp pull on the line connected to the bracket.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A collapsible and expansible minnow net comprising a flexible net section of predetermined .area and having an outer peripheral border of polygonal outline having sides and joints at the angles therebetween, a center support, means for expanding said net section from a collapsed configuration comprising a plurality of resilient ribs having inner ends attached to the peripheral border of the net section at a respective joint, said ribs being movable between a collapsed-net-configuration position at one side of a plane defined by said center support and an expanded-net-configuration position at an opposite side of said plane and said center support including means cooperating with said ribs to restrict movement thereof to flexing at said opposite side of said plane, the length of each rib being such that the distance from the center of said support and the point of connection of the unflexed rib to the net border at its respective joint is greater than the distance from said joint to the center of the polygonal border whereby said ribs are maintained flexed in said expanded-net-configuration position by said net section.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said center support is a bracket having downwardly facing guide channels for the respective ribs which extend radially and. which are open at their outer ends, each rib being pivoted in the channel at its inner end and the outer end of the channel being open, to receive the cooperating rib as it pivots into contact with the bracket.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the border of the net is of square outline with four ribs being provided and pivoted in four cooperating channels provided on said bracket.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said center support contactingly engages said ribs at a point between the ends thereof to restrict movement of said ribs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. 3,645,034 Dated February 29, 1972 Inven fls) Lloyd L. Pfahler It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 47, after "ends", insert --pivotal 1y secured to said center support and outer ends.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) uscoMM-Dc 0031s P09 i U.S. GOVERNNIZNT PRINTING OII'IC! IO. 0-SOl-Jl4 

1. A collapsible and expansible minnow net comprising a flexible net section of predetermined area and having an outer peripheral border of polygonal outline having sides and joints at the angles therebetween, a center support, means for expanding said net section from a collapsed configuration comprising a plurality of resilient ribs having inner ends attached to the peripheral border of the net section at a respective joint, said ribs being movable between a collapsed-net-configuratioN position at one side of a plane defined by said center support and an expandednet-configuration position at an opposite side of said plane and said center support including means cooperating with said ribs to restrict movement thereof to flexing at said opposite side of said plane, the length of each rib being such that the distance from the center of said support and the point of connection of the unflexed rib to the net border at its respective joint is greater than the distance from said joint to the center of the polygonal border whereby said ribs are maintained flexed in said expanded-net-configuration position by said net section.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said center support is a bracket having downwardly facing guide channels for the respective ribs which extend radially and which are open at their outer ends, each rib being pivoted in the channel at its inner end and the outer end of the channel being open, to receive the cooperating rib as it pivots into contact with the bracket.
 3. The combination of claim 2 in which the border of the net is of square outline with four ribs being provided and pivoted in four cooperating channels provided on said bracket.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said center support contactingly engages said ribs at a point between the ends thereof to restrict movement of said ribs. 